Here they were joined by the crew of the Spindrift, and while one party sandpapered down the mast and applied a coat of quick-drying varnish, the others brought the yacht alongside and rigged up a pair of sheer legs. These were set up with their heels wedged alongside the shroud plates, and guyed fore and aft with strong tackles.
By this means the broken mast was lifted out and carried ashore. The running and standing rigging and halliards were then removed and transferred to the new mast, which by this time was quite dry.
It was a tricky job shipping the new mast. Not only was it longer than the broken spar but considerably heavier, and the height of the sheer legs was not enough to hoist it in an almost perpendicular position.
"We can hold the heel down," said Findlay.
"No," objected Mr. Graham, peremptorily. "I'm not going to allow anyone under those sheer legs in case anything carries away."
"I don't see how we can do it otherwise, sir," remarked Jock.
"There is a way," observed the Scoutmaster. "We'll have to make the mast heavier."
The Sea Scouts looked at him to see if he were joking, but Mr. Graham was perfectly grave.
"Yes," he continued. "If we get a pig of ballast and secure it to the mast three feet above the heel, that will cant the mast at the required angle. We can then guide the heel to the proper position by means of rope, and lower away."
This task was successfully accomplished, and by noon the mast wedges were driven home and caulked, the shrouds set up, and the boom and gaff placed in position.